Microcytes are identified through a peripheral blood smear examination. During this procedure, a thin layer of blood is spread on a glass slide, stained, and examined under a microscope. The diameter of the RBCs is measured, and those smaller than the normal range (6-8 micrometers) are classified as microcytes. Additionally, automated hematology analyzers can quantify the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), with values typically less than 80 femtoliters (fL) suggesting microcytosis.
